Hans Olson

Hans Olson is an American musician from San Bernardino, CA, he now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. Olson usually performs solo although he has played with several bands throughout his career. Hans combines a blend of old blues, classic country, radical folk music and original songs. He plays an amplified acoustic guitar and harmonica in a neck rack. He is considered by many to be one of the best "harp in a rack" harmonica players in the world and is currently endorsed by Lee Oskar Harmonicas.

In 1986 Olson helped found the Sun Club, a former hub of the Tempe music scene. The Sun Club was fundamental in launching the careers of acts like Dead Hot Workshop and the Gin Blossoms.

Throughout his career Hans also helped to establish and organize: The Phoenix Blues Society, The Arizona Green Party, The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, The Arizona Music Heritage Foundation and the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

As of 2007, Olson has released 13 independent albums. His music has also been released on Virgin Records in Europe and on independent label Fervor Records in the USA. An Olson song was featured as the title track on the Fantasy Records release '"Deal It Out'" by original Credence Clearwater Revival member Tom Fogerty.

Notable Credits

Hans Olson songs have appeared on numerous TV shows and film soundtracks. Olson's voice was featured in the opening and closing theme for the Burt Reynolds television series Evening Shade. His music has also appeared in episodes of;

*Cold Case
*The George Lopez Show
*Ghost Whisperer
*Criminal Minds
*It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
*Braving Alaska, National Geographic
*The Wild West, TIME/LIFE/WARNER BROS. television mini-series
*The Music Of The Wild West, TNN
*Man Outside, Virgin Vision Films
*Mill Ave., Inc., Independent film

Olson has toured, performed, been an opening act for, and/or recorded with music legends including:

*Michelle Shocked
*Tom Waits
*Brownie McGhee
*Al Kooper
*Albert Lee
*Dallas Taylor
*Boz Skaggs
*Dave Mason
*Allman Brothers Band
*Arlo Guthrie
*Bonnie Raitt
*Albert Collins
*John Hammond
*Jeff Healey
*Five Blind Boys of Alabama
*Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
*Elvin Bishop
*Joe Cocker
*Gatemouth Brown
*Paul Butterfield
*Canned Heat
*John Fogerty
*Johnny Winter
*Edgar Winter

References

*http://www.svherald.com/articles/2008/02/22/entertainment/doc47bf8522068f0398230376.txt
*http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1995-10-05/music/hard-knock-manlocal-legend-hans-olson-is-a-master-of-the-blues-but-will-he-ever-get-control-of-his-destiny/
*http://iodalliance.com/catalog.php?genre=&sort=l.label_name&limit=25&q=Fervor+Records&searchin=l.label_name